Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson will make a plea to NBA owners to keep the Kings in his town. The team is considering a move to Anaheim next season. RICH PEDRONCELLI, ASSOCIATED PRESS

ANAHEIM – Sacramento isn't ready to just let the Kings pack their moving vans for Anaheim just yet.

Kevin Johnson, Sacramento's mayor and a former NBA player, plans to attend the NBA Board of Governors meetings in New York on April 14-15 to argue his city's case for keeping the Kings, who have called Sacramento home since 1985.

Anaheim officials, confident with the way the Kings' potential path south is progressing, have not asked to be heard during the NBA meetings.

Using a basketball reference, Johnson wrote on his blog Thursday night: "There's still a little time left on the clock regarding our future with the Kings."

Johnson said he has contacted the NBA and been granted permission to speak during the Board of Governors meeting.

A representative for Johnson said in an email that the mayor was unavailable for further comment.

Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait said he has no similar plans to be heard before the NBA Board of Governors.

"If the Maloof family (the Kings' owners) would like me there, I would in a heartbeat," Tait said. "But as of now, we have no plans."

The owners of the Kings have yet to file for relocation with the NBA – they have a deadline of April 18 to do so. But all signs point to team owners getting ready to move the team south.

The Anaheim City Council earlier this week approved $75 million in bonds that would help make the Honda Center NBA-ready and help pay relocation fees.

To relocate, the Kings would need to win a majority vote from the NBA Board of Governors, made up of the 30 team owners.

User Agreement

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial
slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about
tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to
allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to
republish your name and comment in additional Register publications
without any notification or payment.